Kingston Port Manager Bookey Dead of Apparent Heart Attack

Mike Bookey died suddenly early Sunday, leaving the busy Port of Kingston without its manager.

Bookey apparently suffered a heart attack, said port commissioner Pete DeBoer, who will step in as an office adviser for a few days. Bookey was 61 years old.

Bookey had already enjoyed a distinguished career in the high-tech industry before becoming the port manager on May 15, 2007. He was leading the effort to re-establish a passenger ferry route between Kingston and downtown Seattle, among many other projects.

"They're going to be some very difficult shoes to fill," DeBoer said. "He was involved in lots of stuff. We're really going to miss him."

Bookey ran the facility at the discretion of the commissioners, including managing the budget. He presided over several improvements and activities. During boating season and with the farmers market on site, the port is busy every weekend.

"We'll get it together," DeBoer said. "There are going to be some sad times, but we'll press on. The Port of Kingston is the favorite place of a lot of people in town. We're going to miss Mike, but we'll just keep plugging away at it."

DeBoer said the port will probably advertise the position in the next few days, or at least pursue a harbormaster.